Patent GB-1282495-A (GB)
Title: Process and apparatus for textile treatment
IPC: D06C29/00
Filed: 1969-11-11
Abstract: 1282495 Finishing fabrics JOSEPH BANCROFT & SONS CO 11 Nov 1969 [20 Nov 1968] 55083/69 Headings D1S and D1L A two-way stretch woven fabric is obtained by longitudinally stretching a woven fabric to shrink the fabric in the weft direction, imparting a cohesive set to the stretched fabric sufficient to maintain the fabric stable in its shrunken weft direction until stretched in the weft direction at which time the fabric is non- recoverable in the weft direction after being so stretched; longitudinally compressively shrinking the cohesively set fabric, and then permanently setting the fabric. In one embodiment, Fig. 5, the fabric 10 of pure or blended wool, rayon or polyester fibres, passes from a roll 11 to be wetted in a water bath 12 which may contain a wetting agent and/or other agents, e.g. softeners, lubricants, setting agents, and thermoplastic or thermosetting resins to enhance the physical characteristics of the fabric. Excess moisture is removed by a mangle 14. The fabric is then stretched longitudinally by a drawing means 15 comprising three pairs of rolls 16, 17, 18, each pair being of larger diameter than the preceding pair and all rotating at the same angular speed. The fabric passes over idler rollers 19 and into a dryer 20 comprising drying cans 21 all rotating at the same speed and supplied internally with a heated gas to partially set the fabric. The fabric passes over idler rollers 22, 23 and through a tensioning means 24 comprising rolls 25, 26, 27. The tensioned fabric passes over idler rolls 28, 29, 30 and guide rolls 31 to a compressive shrinking assembly 32. In a second embodiment, Fig. 6, the drawing means 15 of Fig. 5 is replaced by a series of rolls 34 of increasing diameter and each of which rotates at the same angular speed. The stretched fabric is partially set in an oven 35 in which it passes in zig-zag form over idler rolls 36 before passing on to the tensioning means 24'. In another embodiment, Fig. 7, after passing through the mangle 14', the fabric passes through a tensioning assembly 37 comprising three rolls 40 and is stretched by a pin tenter frame 39 so that it is not substantially reduced in width. Infra-red heating elements 42, 43 may be provided. The fabric then passes through a second tensioning assembly 38 comprising three rolls 41. In a further embodiment, Fig. 8 (not shown), the bath 12 of Fig. 5 is omitted and the dry fabric passes through a tensioning assembly (37) similar to that of Fig. 7, through a steam box (45) and through a second tensioning assembly (38). The rolls (41) of the assembly (38) are driven at a faster speed than the rolls (40) of the assembly (31) so as to longitudinally stretch the fabric.  In yet another embodiment, Fig. 9, the bath 12 and the drawing means 15 of Fig. 5 are replaced by a plurality of baths 46 with a pair of nip rolls 47 positioned outside each bath. Longitudinal stretching of the fabric is effected by rotating each pair of rolls 47 at a higher speed than the preceding pair. Dancer rolls 48 supported by spring suspension systems 49 are positioned after each pair of rolls 47 to absorb any sudden movement in the fabric.